Stevie Frail wants Celtic’s Development kids to follow Kieran Tierney into Ronny Deila’s first team plans.
The 17-year-old came on for the last eight minutes of Celtic’s 2-1 win at Dundee on Thursday night but was back on duty with the Development side the following day as Frail’s side won 2-0 away to Hamilton.
With five matches left to play Celtic trail Aberdeen by 11 points and although the hoops have got two games in hand it seems certain that the five year run of winning the youth/development title will come to an end.
Tierney worked his way into the Development side in the frantic end to last season with Frail delighted to see another player getting the chance to shine in the first team.
“Kieran has did well for himself and has shown what is possible,” the Celtic coach said. “He’s worked very hard on his game, recovered from a broken ankle and has impressed the manager enough to make his debut.
“It’s great for us to see him involved with the first team and it’s something that the rest of the players can aspire towards.
“Kieran took his chance when he came into the development side and has kept on going. He works hard in training and in matches and everyone is pleased to see him getting his rewards.
“Liam Henderson got his chance at the end of last season and has kicked on from that, Kieran knows the standards at this club and wants to force his way forward.”
There was an unfamiliar look to the side at Hamilton as well as new names on the scoresheet- Jamie McCart and Darnell Fisher.
Lucasz Zaluska came in for his first appearance of the season while Joe Chalmers and Tom Rogic continued their return from long term injuries.
In defence McCart and Kelleher formed an impressive barrier with Frail impressed by the way that both players have taken their chances with Stuart Findlay on loan at Dumbarton and Eoghan O’Connell recovering from a hernia operation.
“I’m really pleased with the two centre-backs, Fiacre Kelleher and Jamie McCart, are coming on well together,” the Celtic coach added.
“They kept a clean sheet and that’s what every defender is looking for. They’ve had a lot of games recently, 120 minutes and penalties at Manchester City took a lot out of everyone and even at Hamilton I was wondering if that match was still having an effect.
“We’ve got a few more matches to go and although it looks like Aberdeen will win the league we want to push them as much as possible.”
Tonight Celtic are in action against Kilmarnock at Rugby Park, on Thursday they are away to Falkirk with a 2pm kick off.